Once again, it will be “Blue and White” day this coming Friday at the Bellus Academy in San Diego County.
Students will dress in blue and white, contribute $2 a piece, and tell customers at the cosmetology school about the tragedy that struck the Poway Jewish community on April 27, when a gunman opened fire inside Chabad of Poway, killing Lori Gilbert-Kaye, 60, and wounding three other persons, including senior Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein.
So far, the students have collected $789.25 for distribution to the families of the victims, who also include Almog Peretz, 34, and his niece, Noya Dahan, 8, who were both hit by shrapnel.
The “blue and white” fundraising program was urged by student Jenna Evans, who lives in Poway, according to Danielle Harrison, another student.
“Jenna isn’t Jewish, but she lives in the community and said the people of Poway should support one another,” said Harrison (who for the record is the grandniece of the writer). “We were all very moved.”
Harrison said that Evans received permission from the school’s administrators to hold “Blue and White” days every Friday.
She added that the first time the event was held, approximately 40 people wore the colors, which represent the State of Israel and were traditional colors at Jewish observances for many years prior to Israel’s formation.
Donald H. Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com.
